Why Planes Won’t Take-off with Cell Phones

Here’s a revelation. We are not allowed cell phones inside airplanes because some airline officials feel the crowd could get uncontrollable. Huh!? Here’s another reason; they also think it isn’t good travel etiquette for people to be conversing over the phone. If someone understands the logic behind this, I’ll wait for an explanation. How and why would the crowd get unruly, and why only cell phones come under the purview of good etiquette? What about un-flushed toilets, or burping, or laughing loudly while watching an in-flight video? Aren’t they equally, if not more offensive?

And to think that every time I boarded a flight, the first thing I did was to switch my cell phone off. I thought I was being a stickler for rules and admired myself for that. It’s after all quite a grave matter, if the airlines were to be believed. We wouldn’t want any airline traffic signal to go wonky just because I have the fetish to download free ringtones during every spare minute. Now I feel completely used and taken advantage of. No kidding!

For people who are inseparable with their cell phones, here’s a silver lining among dark clouds. UK regulator Ofcom gave its approval last year for cell phone use in European airspace. So UK registered aircrafts can offer its passengers mobile services. Of course, that’s only after the plane has ascended above 3,000 meters or more. The deal though is that we’ll have to shell out a little more to stay connected. Fair enough I’d say. That way both parties are meeting each other midway. (You can check out the news on BBC if you want further details.) Now I can at least get some free tones while I’m traveling inside European territory. Bless you Ofcom!